Other assisting occupations in support of health services

Example job titles

• audiometric assistant
• audiometric technician
• autopsy assistant
• blood donor clinic assistant
• cast room technician
• chiropractic assistant
• clinical laboratory helper
• medical device reprocessing technician
• morgue attendant
• ophthalmic assistant
• ophthalmic laboratory technician - retail
• ophthalmic lens grinder
• ophthalmologist assistant
• optical laboratory assistant
• optometrist assistant
• orthopedic technologist

Main duties

• This group performs some or all of the following duties:
• Audiometric technicians
• Under the supervision of audiologists, administer tests such as pure tone hearing screening, impedance tests and noise level measurements using equipment such as audiometers and sound level meters to determine hearing thresholds of patients
• Instruct patients on test procedures and record results
• Monitor, check and calibrate auditory equipment
• May take earmold impressions and fit and adjust hearing instruments.
• Orthopedic technologists
• Assist orthopedic surgeons in the treatment of orthopedic diseases and injuries by applying and adjusting casts, splints, bandages and other orthopedic devices
• Assist in the application, maintenance and adjustment of traction equipment
• Clean and dress wounds

Employment requirements

• Audiometric technicians usually require a specialization in industrial audiometry testing.
• Orthopedic technologists usually require completion of secondary school and several months of on-the-job training or a college orthopedic technologist program.
• Registration with the Canadian Society of Orthopaedic Technologists is available and may be required by employers.
• Ophthalmic assistants require completion of a six to twelve month ophthalmic assistants college program or a minimum of one year of on-the-job training under the supervision of an ophthalmologist, and completion of an approved ophthalmic assistant home study program.
• Certification by the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology may be required by employers.
• Health care courses or short-term college programs related to the work of medical therapy aides,  such as recreational therapy programs, are available and may be required by employers.
• Sterile processing technicians require completion of secondary school and a six- to nine-month sterile processing college program.
• Completion of secondary school and several months of on-the-job training are usually required for other assisting occupations in this unit group.

Approved positions by year